Lake Mahinerangi

Lake Mahinerangi is a large lake formed when
the Waipori River was dammed for hydro-electricity generation. Due
to its altitude it can be very cold and windswept and the water
level is prone to quite large fluctuations as water is regularly
drawn of for power generation.

Lake Mahinerangi
is a large man made lake that is well stocked with both brown
and some perch. It is nearly 2,000 feet it can get very windswept
and cold making it a fishery best suited to the warmer months.
This lake generally fishes best when the lake level has been
relatively high and stable for some time. When drawn down
the lake can have extensive mud flats along the water’s
edge. Lake levels can be checked by ringing Trust Power on
03 489 3339.

There is good shoreline access around much
of the lake though a small boat will open up much more water
as much of the shoreline is forested with pine and fir trees.
All methods work at times though the majority of fish are
taken by harling or trolling. On calm evenings and morning
there is often a good midge hatch.

In summer schools of perch often cruise
the shoreline. These are great fun for young anglers using
small spinning lures and worms. Worm fishing from the shoreline
has traditionally been popular and a good method of catching
some of the larger brown trout. Young perch imitations such
as some of the soft plastic lures can be particularly successful
in spring when taergeting the brown trout.

Methods

All methods are legal including
bait. Spinning is productive all season though fly fishing is
best in the warmer months when fish will be feeding on cicadas
and other terrestrial insects and hatching insects life such
as mayflies. Using small perch imitation soft baits is also
a good way yo attract the attention of the brown trout.

Recommended tackle

At times some heavier lines
(weight 7 or 8) are required to be able to punch lines out into
the wind. In the summer weights 5 or 6 are good when fish are
feeding on still evenings. Spinners in the 5 - 10g range are
best.

Dry flies:
The lake is best fished with a dry fly from mid November (with
beetle and mayfly
patterns such as an
adams) and later in summer with a cicada
or hopper pattern.
Midge patterns work well especially on warm summers evenings.